Yeezy Style

I spent Labor Day weekend in Atlanta; I was in town for my college bestie's engagement party. When she picked me up from the airport, we went straight to DSW so she could look for some last-minute more comfortable shoes for the party. I headed over the clearance section for a quick look and found myself trying on a pair of shoes I never in a million years thought I would've tried on.

 

Yes, those are high top wedge sneakers. One year of living in Vermont and I have turned into a total hipster. I was thisclose to buying them, but these were just a tad too snug. I came home and Googled them (duh) and I cannot decide whether or not to take the plunge.

On the one hand, I think they would look super fierce and fashion-y with some faux-leather leggings and a big sweater. On the other hand, I am neither fierce nor fashion-y and I feel like I would be a big ole fraud stomping around in them.

When the Isabel Marant sneakers came out, I was all, "Ew, fashion people are so weird. Who would wear those?" Now I'm all, "Gisele is wearing them, they are actually kind of cute." Also, cute footwear in Vermont between November-April is pretty much limited to LL Bean boots and Sorels, so I feel like these would help me step up my cold weather style game. 

Also, I don't know what color I like. 

I'm inclined to go with the simple black/silver/white, but I mean...if you're going to by high top wedge sneakers, why not throw in some aqua while you're at it?

 

Am I crazy? If you saw me wearing these, would you silently judge me?

Closet Overhaul Update

So it happened.  Well, it's still happening.  The start of the overhaul was shockingly easy and quick.  The above stack of clothes were in the toss/donate/sell pile within about 5 minutes because none of them passed the "Do you absolutely love it?" test.  That pile was about double in size by the end of the morning and all of those items marched off to a local consignment store yesterday.

Last night I went through my chest-of-drawers and weeded out ancient t-shirts, PJ/lounge pants, and other items that are in decent condition to be donated to the Goodwill.  A few things just went straight into the trashcan.  My project for tonight is to start the Herculean task of trying on all of my spring clothes that I got out of storage last weekend and giving them some tough lovin'.  And then my shoes...that's the part I'm dreading the most.

Still, it felt GREAT to drop off those big bags of stuff at the consignment store and I feel like I still have more brutal honesty in me to narrow down the ranks even more.

Then comes the fun part! Filling my closet with the clothes that I actually need/will wear/will be flattering on me {I'm using the term 'need' loosely here}.  The downside to all of that brutal honesty is that my closet looks like I've been robbed.  I am pared down to the basics and the items that I love and wear over and over again.  At least that's made it easy to identify what I need to purchase.  Right now, here's what that list looks like:

pencil skirts {especially in basic colors like khaki, black, and navy}

ankle-length/cropped pants {in all colors and a few fun prints}

long cardigans {in all colors}

button-front shirts {in all colors and patterns}

sleeveless shift dresses {in all colors and patterns}
work-appropriate jackets/blazers

several pairs pantyhose in a color very close to my skin tone

jeans {2-3 pairs}

fun blouses {work-to-weekend}

skinny belts

black pumps

black flats

nude pumps
play clothes {a.k.a. weekend wear}

Any one out there have favorite brands/styles of these items?  Petite readers: have you found any jeans that work for you?  Jeans are my enemy.  You can't have them hemmed more than a 1/2 inch because they don't taper or flare properly.  It seems like every pair of designer jeans I try on is made for tall ladiezz. Suggestions? I used to love shopping, but now I kind of get exhausted thinking about it.  Any help in narrowing down the selection would be tres helpful!

Madge Strikes Again

Target has come out with some new versions of my beloved Madge flats and boy, are they adorable or what?! The woven leather ones remind me of Bottega Veneta bags and huarache sandals all in one.  They're quite nice looking in person.  And those stripes?! Be still my heart.  So perfect and preppy.

And it appears Madge has a chic and understated older sister, Macha, being introduced this spring. I seriously could not get over how expensive these look.  I'm having a hard time not buying a pair in every color, but the mint was especially lovely.  

(Purple) Friday Favorites

{Last Super Bowl post, I promise!}

In Baltimore, every Friday during football season is Purple Friday.  In honor of our World Champion Ravens, indulge me in one last Purple Friday until September, k?

Essie 'Sexy Divide'

Havaianas Slim in Violet

Celebratory Tervis tumblers. You know we will be adding these to our extensive Tervis collection.

J.Crew silk blouse, since my office doesn't do casual Fridays.

source

I would kill to have a yard full of lush purple hydrangeas!

Friday Favorites

Some random things that are blinking on my radar right now...

Tracking down a bottle or two of Essie's Beyond Cozy. I'm kicking myself for not buying it when it was in every.single.store in December because now it has become elusive!

I've recently developed a mild obsession with Target's line of Madge ballet flats.  I have the above tweed ones {my faves!} and the orange "suede" ones. I have my eye on pretty much all of the others, especially the leopard-print and the quilted. They are absurdly comfortable and stylish and they are so inexpensive!

Winter turns me into a bubble bath-aholic and I'm always picking up new ones to try.  I bought the bliss vanilla + bergamot soapy suds last week and it looks like one bottle will last me quite awhile.  It didn't take too much to get the tub filled with suds and it smells divine.  

I picked up some of this peppermint hot chocolate on clearance at Williams-Sonoma last week and holy wow. I wish I had purchased a couple because I'm going to have plowed through this waaaaaaay before winter is over. 

My new running shoes arrived! One of my 101 in 1,001 goals is to run a marathon, so one of my goals for 2013 is to run a half-marathon.  I just love Asics {you can see my old ones in the bottom corner of my pic} and I couldn't pass up these fun neon shoes. I'm hoping the peppy color will help with the motivation on those days where I just can't run another mile.  These are the GEL-Cirrus 33 style.

Happy Friday!  I had a super productive weekend last weekend and I'm hoping to repeat the magic. What are your plans?

Friday Favorites

Remember the hot cocoa recipe I posted last week?  This would be a fabulous way to package it up for gifts. I have these jars in our kitchen and they are the best!

A Bûche de Noël has apparently become our traditional Christmas dessert. I had always wanted to make one and last year I finally did. It was a huge hit and M has already requested it become a regular at our Christmas dinners.  I'll be sharing the whole process next week, but this year I'm hoping to be brave enough to tackle these darling meringue mushrooms too!

Sweet Elizabeth's incredibly lovely Christmas decorations.

And how to get a similar look in a wreath. 

I realize this is terribly 2003 of me, but I really want a pair of UGG Classic Cardy boots. They just look so comfy-cozy! I'm a little miffed that they no longer sell them in charcoal, but I'll settle for the grey.  You know, in case any of you need a last-minute gift idea for me.

Bon weekend!

Tartan Round-Up

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11

I think it's safe to say I have a problem.